Lasallian News Brother Patrick McNally Celebrates 60 Years as a Christian Brother Brother Patrick McNally, St. Joseph’s Class of 1955, recently marked his 60th Anniversary as a Christian Brother. He celebrated with family and friends with a Mass at De La Salle Collegiate followed by a dinner, on July 30. Currently the St. Joe’s Alumni Director at De La Salle, Brother Pat also directs the school’s Drama program, also known as “The Wig and Mask Society” or WAMS.
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Br Pat entered the Novitiate in June 1955, and pronounced his first vows in September 1956. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Catholic University of America in 1960, and then headed to La Salle Academy in New York City as a teacher and choral director. He then spent two years at St. Peter’s High School (Staten Island) as a teacher and track coach.
and continued to coach track and serve as choral director. He returned to De La Salle Collegiate in 1980, to the Detroit campus, and was part of the move to Warren in 1982. He served as Campus Minister, choral director, track coach, as a guidance counselor and as director of WAMS. For the next ten years, he was away from De La Salle - first as Vocation Director for the New York Province from 1992 - 2000, and then for two years at the Christian Brothers Academy Military School (Albany, NY) as Campus Minister, choral director, and Christian Service coordinator. In 2002, he returned to Warren, as assistant to the President, then
Br. Bob Carnaghi, and assistant to the DLS Alumni Director, John Monigold. Br. Pat also took on establishing an active St. Joe’s Alumni group, and is the St. Joe’s Alumni Director. He also became the Advisor to the Christian Brothers’ Auxiliary (CBA), the Vocations Coordinator, and the WAMS Director. DLS President John M. Knight said, “Br. Pat is and has been a special person to the DLS community and the SJ alumni community over the years. Brother’s dedication to our students and to our Lasallian mission is extraordinary. Thank you Brother for the blessing you are to us! May our dear Lord bless you with good health and happiness in all you do.”
In 1964, St. Joseph’s High School in Detroit closed, and a large group of St. Joe’s “Bluejays” were transferring to De La Salle Collegiate. Because Br. Pat was a graduate of St. Joe’s, the Provincial of the New York District assigned Br. Pat to De La Salle Collegiate to help ease in the transition. Br. Pat remained at De La Salle until 1972, teaching, serving as choral director, and coaching track. From 1972 - 1980, he was Assistant Principal at Christian Brothers’ Academy (Lincroft, NJ),
Br. Robert Deary (‘61), Br. Thomas Lackey (‘65), Br. Bob Carnaghi (SJ ‘48), Br. Patrick McNally (‘SJ ‘55), Br. Michael Shubnell (‘72), Br. Joseph Jozwiak (‘65), and Br. Jerome Stevens (‘48).
